Newcastle want at least €50m to open sale talks – Club could include Eddie Howe favourite in deal instead
Newcastle United have set a firm price tag of no less than €50 million before even considering talks with AC Milan over the potential sale of Sandro Tonali.
Reports from Calciomercato highlight the growing speculation surrounding Tonali’s possible return to his former club, following his recent admission that he left Milan reluctantly in 2023 and remains open to the idea of rejoining them in the future.
His comments have reignited interest among Milan fans, who still view his departure as a painful loss and continue to push for his return.
Despite the enthusiasm from Milan’s supporters, the reality of a potential transfer remains complex. Newcastle show no inclination toward selling the Italian midfielder, and if they were to entertain offers, the negotiations would start at a minimum of €50 million.
Even at this figure, the Magpies hold a strong position, with no pressure to sell a player they invested heavily in and view as a long-term asset.
Given Newcastle’s reluctance to part ways with Tonali, the proposed fee could be significantly higher, making a deal challenging for Milan, despite their willingness to invest when necessary.
One potential avenue Milan could explore to reduce the financial burden involves including players as part of a swap deal.
Among the names mentioned is Malick Thiaw, a defender highly regarded by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. Discussions between the clubs and respective agents regarding Thiaw took place last summer, though Newcastle never made an official move due to Milan’s asking price of €35 million.
Including him in a deal for Tonali could theoretically bring down the overall cost, but it remains uncertain whether Newcastle would accept such terms.
While Milan fans continue to dream of Tonali’s return, the financial and strategic realities make it unlikely in the near future.
Newcastle remain committed to the midfielder, and his value to the squad outweighs any short-term financial incentives to sell.
Unless Milan can present an offer that significantly benefits Newcastle both financially and strategically, the chances of Tonali returning to the San Siro remain slim.